38 Biggest Changes Dark Matter Makes To Blake Crouch's Book

Apple TV+’s adaptation of Blake Crouch’s 2016 sci-fi novel, Dark Matter, is a largely faithful live-action version of the story, but some interesting differences have been made due to the change in medium. With Crouch also serving as the Dark Matter showrunner and lead writer for the show, it would be reasonable to assume that Apple’s version of the story would be a beat-for-beat replication of the original. However, Crouch wasn’t afraid to add to the TV show, updating the narrative after an 8-year gap between source material and adaptation.

The Dark Matter cast is led by Joel Edgerton as Jason Dessen, as he tries to traverse the multiverse and reclaim his life from an identical impostor. The show is an addition to Apple TV+’s robust sci-fi library, cementing the platform’s place as a leader within the genre. Dark Matter has an all-star creative team, with writers and directors tied to legendary franchises such as Star Trek and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Unlike certain multiversal tales, Dark Matter is wrought with tension and a feeling of hopelessness that makes it unclear if the protagonist will ever find his way home.

Joel Edgerton as Jason Dessen in Dark Matter with the imagery from the theme song as the background

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38 Jason Dessen’s Teaching Career Gets Far More Attention In The TV Show

Jason’s professional life isn’t addressed much in the book

The main Jason in the Dark Matter book is a physics professor at the fictitious Lakemont College in Chicago. However, none of the scenes in the source material are set at the school. Instead, the fact that Jason is a professor rather than an award-winning physicist is a point of contention for his character, so he is quietly disdainful of his occupation. In the show, Jason is equally disappointed with his professional lot in life, but you at least see him flex his teaching muscles firsthand.

The main Jason isn’t the only version of Edgerton’s Dark Matter character who is shown in the classroom. Jason2, the alternate version who forced their universe-swap, steps into all aspects of his victim’s life – including his responsibilities at Lakemont. While this is heavily implied and even described in the book, Jason2 is also never directly written about while imparting his knowledge to the next generation in Crouch’s original version of the story.

37 Ryan Holder’s Job Offer In Apple TV+’s Dark Matter Doesn’t Happen In The Book

Ryan’s Pavia Prize victory is even bigger in the show

Jason being guilted into attending Ryan Holder’s celebration at Village Tap plays out almost exactly as it does in the book, but it isn’t identical. In the novel, Jason quickly shares a drink with Ryan before leaving the bar, but that isn’t where the interaction ends in the Apple show. In fact, Jimmi Simpson’s version of Ryan introduces an entirely new element to the Dark Matter story.

Due to winning the Pavia Prize, Ryan declares intentions to open up a neurotech company in San Francisco with his newfound wealth, offering Jason the chance to work with him in the Californian city. Jason is replaced with his multiversal copy shortly after he leaves Village Tap, so it’s actually Jason2 who rejects the offer later on. The addition of the job offer doesn’t change the story too much, but has perhaps been included to reinforce Ryan’s success in comparison to the Ryan in the other universe.

36 The Decontamination Procedure At Velocity Labs Isn’t As Extreme As In The Book

Blake Crouch wrote the original sequence to sound excruciatingly painful

When Jason unknowingly arrives in Jason2’s universe in the book, the process of making sure he hasn’t brought anything harmful back sounds like a deeply unpleasant experience. When Jason is being decontaminated in the book, he is still secured to the gurney that appears in the TV show, and subjected to a barrage of mysterious chemicals and treatments that sound very painful. The Dark Matter book is also written in first person, so Jason’s suffering is brought more to the forefront:

The same sequence in the TV show is much shorter and completely omits this extreme process. Instead, Jason is shown upright in a shower. The focus is on Jason’s feeling of disorientation rather than also experiencing what sounds like borderline torture. It’s possible that including the full scene from the book would have seen those at Velocity seem immediately like villains, rather than keeping it ambiguous for a little longer.

35 Jason Already Knows Leighton Vance In The Dark Matter Show

Jason’s literary counterpart has no idea who Leighton is

Leighton Vance, played in the Dark Matter TV show by Dayo Okeniyi, is a very important figure in the hierarchy of Velocity Laboratories. In Jason’s first exchange with Leighton in the book, Leighton is disappointed to discover that Jason doesn’t remember him. In reality, Jason never knew Leighton in the book, and the Velocity CEO was unknowingly speaking to a copy of Jason Dessen whom he had never met before that moment. In the TV show, Jason immediately knows who Leighton is, although he also admits he hasn’t seen him in “God knows how long.”

Velocity doesn’t exist in Jason’s native universe, so it’s initially unclear where he knows Leighton from, although it’s strongly implied that Jason2 and Leighton were colleagues at the groundbreaking laboratory before the swap. Leighton also isn’t present at Jason’s debrief in the book, with only Amanda conducting the interview. Amanda is still there in the show, but Leighton is also a direct part of the meeting.

34 Joel Edgerton’s Dark Matter Character Is Implied To Be The “Co-Founder” Of Velocity In The Show

Velocity predates Jason’s birth in both versions of Dark Matter

During Jason’s debrief with Leighton and Amanda in Dark Matter episode 1, “Are You Happy in Your Life?” Jason is introduced as the project’s “Chief Science Officer and co-founder.” Even for those familiar with the book, nothing may seem amiss here, but Jason’s role within the organization in Crouch’s original work is not the same as in the show. In fact, it would have been impossible for the book version of Jason Dessen to be Velocity’s founder.

In the novel, Leighton says, “My father founded Velocity forty-five years ago.” The company is of a similar age in the Dark Matter TV show, so Jason wouldn’t have even been born. However, Leighton Vance also confirms in “The Box” that it was his grandfather who founded Velocity, not his father. The clashing of facts about who founded Velocity in the show – Jason or Leighton’s grandfather – needn’t be a pothole. Jason could simply have been credited as the co-founder of the project concerning the box, rather than Velocity in general.

33 Jason’s Escape From Velocity Labs Is Far Easier In The Show

Edgerton’s character flees Velocity with very little resistance

In the Dark Matter book, Jason fleeing Velocity is a slow-burning affair, with a great deal of internal rumination about how to pull off any form of escape plan. Eventually, Jason is taken to Leighton’s office, where he barricades himself in a private bathroom and squeezes out of a small window before a lengthy, dramatic chase takes place. By contrast, Jason’s sudden fleeing from the scene includes a fairly leisurely stroll out the front door.

Custom image of Joel Edgerton as Jason Dessen in Dark Matter

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Once Edgerton’s Jason hops Velocity’s fence, it’s pretty much a straight shot to the road to find a cab to take him to what he believes to be his home. Jason’s literary counterpart experiences a tense sequence of energetic chase scenes before also flagging down an off-duty taxi. However, while the driver in the book argues against taking Jason as a passenger, the driver in the Apple adaptation seemingly has no such qualms.

32 Amanda Lives With Jason2 In Apple’s Dark Matter TV Show

Jason2 lives alone in the novel

Amanda Lucas becomes an important part of Jason’s eventual journey through the multiverse. In the book, it’s strongly implied that Amanda and Jason2 had some form of romantic relationship before the Jasons swapped places, but this is never confirmed or denied. However, Blake Crouch made the ties between Amanda and Jason2 far less ambiguous in the TV show by having the duo share a house. Jason2’s book counterpart, although he still lives in the same Chicago brownstone in both universes, lives alone in the universe where Velocity exists.

In the original medium, Jason returns to an unoccupied and differently-decorated house, whereas Amanda is waiting for him in the Dark Matter TV show. There, Amanda tries to “restore” Jason’s memories by prompting him to remember her, but she is unaware that it’s not the same version of Jason. While Amanda declares that Jason never had a wife, it’s difficult to ignore the implications of a romantic relationship that arise by having the pair live together.

31 Jason Is A Part Of Daniela’s Art Installation In Apple TV+’s Dark Matter

Daniela’s exhibit has a few notable changes

In both versions of Dark Matter, the alternate version of Jason’s wife tells him that he was the inspiration for her latest art installation. However, the end result of said installation is different in the show. In Apple TV+’s version, the experience is more high-concept, playing much more on the theme of the multiverse. In addition, images of Jason are included as part of the display – which does not happen in the 2016 novel.

Because TV is a far more visual medium than books, mildly confusing the audience with these images is a great way to enhance the mystery, as well as foreshadowing Daniela’s admission that her conversation with Jason2 is what kickstarted her ideas. This addition is also a nice way of keeping those who have read the book on their toes, and it can sometimes be easy to fall into a sense of knowing what’s coming when a viewer knows the source material.

30 Jason’s Wedding Ring Replacement Doesn’t Come From Daniela’s Apartment In The Book

The book Jason uses something else to replace the symbol of his love for Daniela

Just like in the book, Jason notices the indentation of his absent wedding ring while in the hospital in the other universe. The sequence is taken directly from Crouch’s original version of the story, with the book chronicling Jason’s inner monologue during the moment: “I touch the indentation, acknowledging both the horror and the comfort of what it represents – the last vestige of my reality.” In Dark Matter episode 2, “Trip of a Lifetime,” Jason takes one of Daniela’s hair ties from her apartment and loops it around his ring finger to solidify the memory for when the indentation fades.

This ring replacement is inspired by the book but isn’t identical. Jason’s book counterpart does eventually stay at Amanda’s, but not before checking into a cheap hotel across from “his” house called The Days Inn. When recuperating from his escape from Leighton and the others, Jason takes a piece of thread from the hotel curtain and ties it around his ring finger. Using a hair tie from the alternate version of Jason’s wife is a much more poetic version of the moment, given what it represents.

29 The Dark Matter Show Gives Jason2 A Creepy Storage Unit That Isn’t In The Book

Jason2’s base of operations makes complete sense

The book version of Jason2 is perhaps a little overconfident in his plan and doesn’t take any contingencies to account for the original Jason returning and reclaiming his life. However, Blake Crouch has made Jason2 much more cautious in the Dark Matter TV show and made him a much better villain than his literary counterpart. Near the end of “Trip of a Lifetime,” Jason2 is shown heading to a storage unit, where he keeps various pieces of equipment – including a firearm, tape, surveillance gear, and his ominous white mask from the first episode.

The storage unit is also shown in episode 1, but for those unfamiliar with the story, the scene is intentionally more intriguing. So early in the show, viewers are likely unaware of the fact there are two Jasons, so it seems as though the character is living some form of double life. When it’s revealed that Jason2 is using the unit as a base of operations, it makes perfect sense. Jason2 is essentially a multiversal refugee at the beginning of the story, so the inclusion of a makeshift headquarters is a brilliant addition.

28 Jason’s Time With The Other Daniela Has Some Key Differences

Daniela Vargas helps Jason more in the show

When in Jason2’s universe, Jason’s first priority is to track down his wife to help him make sense of what’s happening. Due to the changes in that particular universe, the best he’s able to do is find a version of the woman he loves, but who never married her version of Edgerton’s character. This is the same in both versions of Dark Matter, but their time together isn’t identical.

Firstly, the book version of Jason stays inside Daniela’s apartment for a few days without leaving, with Daniela’s murder forcing his departure. They also sleep together in the book – an act that’s interrupted in the TV show. Most interestingly, the Apple version of Dark Matter adds the pair leaving the apartment to investigate Jason2’s brownstone, discovering the villains’ notes together. This leads Jason to discover what’s going on while at Daniela’s apartment and in her company, rather than at Velocity under lock and key – where Jason2’s work is handed to him on a laptop in the Dark Matter book.

27 Dark Matter Addresses The Other Missing Box Pilots From The Book

Blair Caplan isn’t in the original Dark Matter novel

In both versions of the story, Jason Dessen is the first person to emerge from the box, with at least three previous “Box pilots” never being seen again after entering and closing the door behind them. However, the original book doesn’t mention any of these lost pilots by name and barely addresses their disappearance beyond a passing comment. Blake Crouch rectifies this in his TV show adaptation of Dark Matter by acknowledging that a missing Velocity employee would likely trigger a police investigation.

A custom image of Joel Edgerton as Jason Dessen and Jennifer Connelly as Daniela Vargas in Dark Matter

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In Dark Matter episode 3, “The Box,” Detective Mason arrives at Velocity while investigating the disappearance of Blair Caplan. Both characters are original to the TV show and don’t appear in the book. The enhanced plotline of the disappearing box pilots is a great addition to the adaptation, as it gives Leighton Vance more to deal with beyond trying to find his original version of Jason Dessen. The lost version of Blair eventually appears in Dark Matter episode 5, “Worldless.”

26 Apple TV+ Gives More Information On How The Box Works In Dark Matter

Blake Crouch originally provided little information about the box’s design in the book

The box is explained to a certain degree in the 2016 novel, but the technobabble is kept to a minimum, essentially making the huge cube something of an enigma. Although the basics of superposition are explained in the pages of Crouch’s book, the design and engineering that went into the box’s design are almost non-existent. However, Apple TV+’s take on the box comes with many more details about the multiversal vehicle.

In Dark Matter episode 3, Leighton and Amanda accompany Jason to the box to allow him to examine it. While the Velocity employees believe they’re trying to jog Jason’s memory, this version of Edgerton’s character didn’t design the enlarged version of the box. Instead, he stopped his research in his universe when he decided to start a family with Daniela. Therefore, Jason is surprised to hear about the box’s, “Layer of adaptive shielding,” that “he” developed, and that it’s, “Full of smart materials that generate fields [that cancel] out whatever radiation or sound [that] tries to make it inside.”

25 Ryan Holder’s Drug Gets Given A Name In The Dark Matter TV Show

The compound is referred to by Amanda as “Lavender Fairy”

Ryan’s compound is essential to making the box work, as it alters the box pilot’s brain chemistry to allow an individual to exist in a state of superposition within the box by suppressing parts of the pre-frontal cortex. The drug is equally vital in both versions of Dark Matter, but it never receives a name in the book. In “The Box,” Amanda tells Jason that she, “Oversaw trials for Lavender Fairy, the drug Ryan built,” when explaining her role at Velocity.

The drug is shown on-screen as early as the first episode of Dark Matter, where it’s revealed to have a purple hue – a facet of its appearance that is never described in the book. The drug is also contained in what appears to be some form of auto-injector, rather than the traditional syringe that’s mentioned in the source material. In addition, the scene in the show that reveals Ryan’s drug name also elaborates more on Amanda’s job at Velocity. The fact she is responsible for the psychological conditioning of the box pilots is more new information.

24 Amanda’s Original Plan To Escape Velocity Always Involved The Box In The Book

Amanda also takes two backpacks into the box instead of just one

In the Dark Matter show, Amanda’s original plan looks to be to sneak Jason out the front door. Perhaps predictably, Leighton Vance spots them, causing Amanda to think on the spot and redirect them to the hanger that houses the box. The Dark Matter book has Amanda taking Jason directly to the hangar, as she is aware she’ll find it impossible to remove him from the building unseen.

One of the other biggest changes during this sequence is that the book version of the scene has Amanda taking Jason from what is essentially a prison cell, which is much less cushy than his room in the show. In addition, Amanda brings just one backpack with her when trying to send Jason on his journey, as it’s never her intention to go with him. In the TV show, Amanda and Jason flee for the box together, with Amanda finding the time to grab two backpacks from the wall instead of just having one to share.

23 The Dark Matter Show Introduces A Second Dessen Child

Maximillian Dessen is never mentioned in the book

Charlie Dessen already has a much bigger role in the Dark Matter show than he does in the book, but Apple TV+ doubles down on the Dessen family tree by revealing that Daniela gave birth to a second son on the same day as Charlie. Maximillian “Max” Dessen is a completely original character who does not appear in the 2016 sci-fi novel, but his “Certificate of live birth” confirms him as Charlie’s twin brother. However, Jason2 is visibly confused as to what has happened to the other son of his multiversal doppelgänger.

Max died at a young age, as confirmed in Dark Matter episode 4, “The Corridor.” This was a notable amount of time before Jason2 stole the life of the story’s main Jason Dessen, hence Jason2’s confusion. Max Dessen is another example of the slew of original characters created for the Dark Matter show, but he is perhaps the most prominent due to his strong ties to the story’s protagonist. The original story has a relatively small pool of characters. Although the novel uses the group effectively, the new additions make the Apple TV+ Dark Matter universe more immersive.

In Dark Matter episode 7, “In the Fires of Dead Stars,” Jason accidentally stumbles across a universe where both of his sons survived. While trying to leave a version of his house undetected, Edgerton’s character is forced to don the persona of an alternate version of himself and interact with a teenage Max Dessen, with the previously unseen twin being unaware he’s speaking with a copy of his father.

22 Jason2’s Attempts To Assimilate Receive More Attention In The TV Show

Edgerton’s villain has to research the life he’s stepped into

Jason2’s perspective is not addressed much in the Dark Matter book, with every scene featuring the character being viewed through the eyes of either the main Jason or Daniela. Crouch has perhaps seen this omission as a missed opportunity and has made sure the Apple adaptation focuses much more on the story’s villain. Jason2 slotting into the life of his counterpart seems to go off without a hitch in the book, whereas the TV show brilliantly shows the social obstacles he needs to traverse to avoid his true identity from being discovered.

The dinner party scene in Dark Matter episode 3, “The Box,” is a great example of the amount of on-the-fly research Jason2 needs to do ahead of being thrust into the heart of a social gathering full of people he doesn’t know. Even though he is aware of certain versions of the characters from his native universe, Jason2 is essentially starting from scratch. This scene isn’t in the book at all, but it’s an excellent way of fixing a problem from the original Dark Matter story.

21 Leighton Vance Follows Jason & Amanda Into The Box

Dayo Okeniyi’s Leighton Vance has a much bigger role than his book character

In Blake Crouch’s original Dark Matter book, Leighton Vance essentially vanishes from the story once Jason escapes with Amanda. His only other appearance in the source material comes when the escapees land in a universe where they escaped later and are caught and shot dead. This macabre sequence is shown in the Apple TV+ adaptation too. However, in the Dark Matter show, the Leighton Vance from Jason2’s original universe grabs a backpack and chases Jason and Amanda through the multiverse.

Making the creative decision to expand upon Leighton’s arc makes him a much more compelling character, as well as making the overall story more exciting. In the novel, Jason and Amanda aren’t chased by anyone, with their only obstacle being the sheer number of alternate realities they have to navigate. Extending Leighton’s role by having him pursue two of the story’s protagonists makes for a thrilling addition.

20 The Apocalyptic Universe’s Collapsing Building Scene Isn’t In The Book

Blake Crouch improves his own idea

In both versions of the story, Jason and Amanda emerge into a reality that has clearly undergone some form of end-of-the-world event. There aren’t any other people there, and the city lies devastated around them as ash falls from the sky. In the book, the two Velocity escapees simply wander through the deserted streets and take in their macabre surroundings. Then, they return to the box and continue their journey.

AppleTV+ makes the sequence much more high-octane, with an inconveniently timed collapse of a nearby skyscraper. Jason and Amanda barely manage to escape with their lives as they flee in the direction of the box. The addition is effective, especially for Dark Matter’s jump to a visual medium. The book, while excellent, is short of action sequences, which are arguably needed in a show like Dark Matter.

19 Jason’s Time In The Ice Universe Is Worse In The Book

Jason Dessen tries to spare Amanda from more emotional trauma

When Amanda flees the box after feeling overwhelmed by the never-ending corridor, she leads Jason into a reality where they could realistically freeze to death. While their time in this universe in the show has many of the same beats as the book, the adaptation omits one key element. Jason Dessen’s literary counterpart finds the bodies of an entire family in the house, all of whom have starved to death. Before Amanda regains consciousness, Jason hides the bodies in another area of the house to protect her from the discovery.

The scene isn’t particularly vital to the plot, so it’s understandable that it never made it into the TV show. Even when Amanda eventually discovers the unfortunate frozen family, her reaction doesn’t lead to much either. So, while it does add a certain level of additional hopelessness to the ice universe, it’s not a big loss to the Apple TV+ version of the mind-bending sci-fi story.